Professional paper

https://doi.org/10.15836/ccar.2014.76

Evidence-based treatment approaches in reducing the burden of coronary heart disease.

Jasna Meško ; Krka, d. d., Novo mesto, Slovenia
Veronika Hribar ; Krka, d. d., Novo mesto, Slovenia
Sanja Brus ; Krka, d. d., Novo mesto, Slovenia
Mateja Grošelj ; Krka, d. d., Novo mesto, Slovenia
Breda Barbič-Žagar orcid.org/0000-0002-1173-7361 ; Krka, d. d., Novo mesto, Slovenia

Abstract

Coronary heart disease (CHD) is the leading cause of death worldwide. Unfortunately, sudden cardiac death is for many individuals the first manifestation of CHD. Prevention ideally begins with primary interventions in persons at increased risk for cardiovascular disease (CVD) but without clinically manifested disease. It is aimed at managing risk factors, including dyslipidemia and hypertension, which have long been established as important modifiable cardiovascular (CV) risk factors. However, primary prevention practices are still inadequate and may provide suboptimal protection against the development of CHD. Efforts in secondary prevention, where the management of CV risk factors becomes even more crucial, are focused on the prevention of further progression of the disease which can result in recurrence of the CV event or even death. Over the past decade, the clinical benefit of lipid-lowering and antihypertensive medicines in terms of CV risk reduction has been established in numerous randomised controlled trials. Statins are the only lipid-lowering medicines which improve clinical outcomes in patients with and without CVD. They have been shown to reduce CV morbidity and mortality as well as the need for coronary artery interventions. Evidence of the efficacy of perindopril in reducing the incidence of CV events is well established. The findings of the EUROPA study in patients with stable CHD provided clear evidence of the efficacy of perindopril in secondary prevention in patients with stable CHD. Evidence-based treatment options, such as statins and angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, could help reduce risk factors in CHD patients and, consequently, provide adequate protection against further progression of the disease.

Keywords

coronary heart disease; hypertension; hyperlipidemia; statins; perindopril

Hrčak ID:

141157

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/141157

Publication date:

17.2.2014.

Article data in other languages: croatian

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